Iowa Aggravated Assault Laws

According to Iowa’s criminal code, assaults in the state are defined as any acts actually causing physical harm, as well as threats of physical harm causing imminent fear, or using a dangerous or deadly weapon in a threatening manner. Iowa simply defines assault in Section 708.1 of the state criminal code, and in section 708.2, outlines a schedule of penalties applicable based on elements of the assault crime, including the extent of physical harms caused and the method of assault. According to a meta analysis compiled by Uniform Crime Reports on violent crime, there were 6,315 aggravated assaults reported in Iowa in 2009, a marginal drop from the previous two years.

Defining Aggravated Assault in Iowa

• Simple assault: Any act or attempted act intended to cause physical harm, offend a victim, places a victim in imminent fear of harm, or places victim in imminent fear of harm by display of dangerous weapon. Simple assault charges only applicable, if higher offense not.
• Assault, intent of serious injury: Encompasses any assault with intent to cause serious physical injury to a victim or involves display of dangerous weapon in connection with any assault.
• Assault, bodily injury: Encompasses assaults that actually cause bodily injury to a victim.
• Assault, serious injury: Encompasses any assault causing serious bodily injury to a victim.

• Domestic assaults, sexual assaults, and certain other assault-type actions are codified as separate criminal violations in Iowa, and in turn, carry varying suggested sentencing guidelines.

Penalties for Aggravated Assault in Iowa:

Plea Options for Aggravated Assault Charges in Iowa

Plea options will vary in Iowa based on the nature of the assault offense. However, the ideal plea option will be one that reduces the assault charge faced into a lesser offense, carrying lesser penalties and possibly, avoiding a felony or aggravated misdemeanor conviction. In most instances, assault sentences are entitled to suspension, pending the decision of the courts. However, the case-specific nature of each case, and in turn, whether legal counsel is involved in the plea process from the beginning, is essential.

Getting Legal Help with Aggravated Assault in Iowa

To learn more about your legal rights and options in a pending aggravated assault case in Iowa, it is imperative you consult with an Iowa aggravated assault lawyer. With the insight of dedicated legal counsel, a defendant can analyze the case-specific elements of the charges and arrest, and in turn, identify relatively weak areas of the prosecution’s case in an attempt to obtain any one of the aforementioned types of favorable plea options. However, this will only be possible via representation by a lawyer.